A Kenya Police Reservist has been gunned dead as several remain unaccounted for on Sunday afternoon following an ongoing gun fighting between Marakwet herders and suspected Pokot bandits in the war-torn Kerio valley.
The deceased David Kipyatich Kanda, 35, was felled by hail of bullets at Chebo-Jetum grazing fields along the Turkwel power lines in Marakwet East sub-county.

His killers swiftly took away his G-3 firearm leaving his lifeless body behind as they fought off retaliating Marakwet herders who had moved in to engage them. 

“The body of the deceased has been moved from the scene and is already on its way to Iten- County referral hospital mortuary,” said Kotut location Chief James Sirmo.

According to the herders, the deceased reservist was caught unawares by the attackers who seemed to have been targeting his life and the firearm he possessed as well.

Elgeyo-Marakwet County police commander Tom Odera said the clashing factions were still engaging each other in the fight, adding that police officers were already on the ground.

“It is true. Things aren’t good in the Valley there is an ongoing fighting but until it is over so that we can take proper audit of the fighting,” said the police chief, alive to the fact that fighting was ongoing.

Mourning relatives of the deceased in Kakibiyoswo village where two brothers had just been buried after falling victim to armed banditry described the incident as most unfortunate.
“Tumetoka Kuzika wawili juzi, Kemboi na Kimutai, sasa hii ni mazishi ingine tena? (We have just come from burying Kimutai and Kemboi, so we already have another burial in waiting before our crying eyes dry up?)” a distraught villager in Kakibiyoswo village Ms Jeniffer Kirop said

A local primary school teacher said deaths in the Valley were no longer news adding that the his hears were already used to the gunshot noise.

“The deadly gunshots noise is heard every day. Just pray for us so that the Almighty God can give us protection, “said Cheptarus Murkomen.

The yesterday onslaught by the believed Pokot bandits was preceded by death of one warrior who was allegedly killed on Friday during fighting mission.

Via DAILY NATION